answersLogoWhite

0

What is the metric system?

Updated: 8/11/2023
User Avatar

Wiki User

6y ago

Best Answer

The "metric system" (SI units) is a system of measurement in a decimal form (each successive unit of measure is 10 times larger or smaller than the preceding unit). Its name is from the Greek (métron, to measure).

The original "metric system" developed in France in the 1790's and was refined into the "International System" (Le Système International d'Unités) in 1960.

Basic units of measurement are the meter (metre, for length), kilogram (1000 grams, for mass or weight), and second (for time). Associated with it is the Kelvin scale (degrees unit same as Celsius) for temperature. Other SI units are the ampere (for electrical current), the candela (for luminosity), and the mole (physical amount). Volume is measured in the original liters (litres), equivalent to a cubic decimeter, which equals 1000 cubic centimeters (cc).

Prefixes for decimal divisions in the SI system :

Multiples (symbol, prefix, multiple)

da deca- 10

h hecto- 100

k kilo- 1000

M mega- 1,000,000 (million)

G giga- 1,000,000,000 (billion, 109)

T tera- (trillion, 1012)

P peta- (quadrillion, 1015)

E exa- (quintillion, 1018)

Z zetta- (sextillion, 1021)

Y yotta- (septillion, 1024)

Subdivisions (symbol, prefix, division)

d deci- one tenth

c centi- one hundredth

m milli- one thousandth

µ micro- one millionth

n nano- one billionth (10-9)

p pico- one trillionth (10-12)

f femto- one quadrillonth (10-15)

a atto- one quintillionth (10-18)

z zepto- one sextillionth (10-21)

y yocto- one septillionth (10-24)

User Avatar

Wiki User

6y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

Its just a method of measuring things based on a erroneous calculation of the Earth's circumference. And obsessed with powers of ten.

Most of the world uses it, and its just as good as any other system.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

A metric unit is a decimal unit of measurement of the metric system, based on meters and kilograms and seconds.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

Standard measurements

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What is the metric system?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

What is a catchy slogan for the metric system?

THE METRIC SYSTEM WONDERLAND or THE WONDERS OF THE METRIC SYSTEM


When collecting data and doing experiment what system of measurement do most scientists use?

Metric system


What metric system is used around the world?

Most of the world uses the metric system for measurement. The main units used outside of the U.S.A. is the metric system or SI (System Internationale).


What is the birthplace of metric system?

in the metric system's hospital


What measurement system does South Africa use?

How is the metric system use in America? How is the metric system use in Australia? How is the metric system use in Japan? How is the metric system use in Thailand? How is the metric system use in sweden? How is the metric system use in anywhere? Know the answer now?


What is the difference of english system to metric system?

The english system is the metric system. There is no difference.


What is the basic metric unit of length of the length of a car?

In the metric system, lengths are calculated in meters.In the metric system, lengths are calculated in meters.In the metric system, lengths are calculated in meters.In the metric system, lengths are calculated in meters.


Do scientists use English system or the metric system of measurement?

The metric system.


What is 660m in metric system?

660 metres is in the metric system.


What metric system does Portugal use?

The Standard Metric System...


When was the metric system started?

The MEtric System was founded in 1670.


What is the meaning metric system?

The word "metric" refers to measurements and the metric system is a system for measuring physical and chemical attributes.